Have you ever scrolled through Instagram and seen your friend’s vacation pics, while you’re stuck at home watching Netflix and felt like (😩). Or maybe you’ve missed out on that restaurant because you just couldn’t get a reservation? That’s Fear Of Missing Out, or FoMO for short. It’s that feeling of anxiety or regret that you’re missing out on something great, and it’s something a lot of us deal with daily.
The funny thing is, FoMO is a very real and very human experience. So please, know that you’re not alone in this struggle. Stay with me so you’ll find out what to do.
What is FoMO?
FoMO, or Fear Of Missing Out, is a feeling of anxiety or regret that you’re missing out on something great. It’s a mix of envy and worry about what others are doing and the fear that you’re not part of it.
If you’re always checking social media to see what others are up to, feeling jealous of their lives, regretting your choices like staying home instead of going out, yeah, that’s all FoMO in action.
FoMO is totally normal, but if you don’t manage it, it can turn into serious stress and anxiety.
The History Of FoMO.
The term “Fear Of Missing Out” (FoMO) was first used by Dan Herman in a 2005 marketing newsletter. He was talking about how technology is used in marketing. But the idea of feeling left out has been around for a lot longer than that.
When Facebook and Twitter (Now X) started blowing up (early 2000s), people could constantly see what others were up to, and that feeling of missing out started creeping into everyone’s lives.
By the 2010s, FoMO became a big deal.
I would say that FoMO is like a side effect of modern life. With endless information and the pressure to keep up with everyone and everything, I’m not surprised that FoMO is everywhere.
It just doesn’t have to control you. Yes it doesn’t. I mean, there are so many ways to handle FoMO and feel better.
Symptoms of FoMO.
- You’re exhausted from trying to keep up with everyone and everything.
- You envy others’ experiences and stuff, feeling like you’re missing out.
- You’re always on social media, comparing yourself to others.
- You’re anxious or worried about missing something important.
- You’re constantly comparing yourself to others and feeling like you’re not good enough.
- You regret your choices and wonder if you missed out on something better.
- You’re scared of being left out of social activities or groups.
- You make choices based on FoMO, not what’s best for you.
- You’re overwhelmed by all the information and activity around you.
What Causes FoMO?
FoMO has a bunch of different causes. But here’s our top 3:
Modern Life.
FoMO is a sign of our “crazy-modern” life. With nonstop info and activities being thrown at us, it’s easy to feel stressed and anxious. Like I said before, no wonder FoMO is everywhere with all that pressure.
Social Media.
Social media is a huge part of this. With endless updates and photos, it’s easy to feel like you’re missing out on everyone else’s fun. Yes, you can easily feel inadequate and super anxious about it.
Our Perspectives.
Our mindset plays a big role too. We’re social beings who crave interaction and acceptance. So, when we see others doing things without us, it’s easy to feel left out or excluded.
Who Is Mostly Affected By FoMO?
Teens and heavy social media users are prime targets for FoMO.
How FoMO Preys On Your Insecurities.
FoMO loves to mess with your head, making you overthink and doubt yourself even more.
For instance, if you’re not confident about making friends, seeing others do it without you can make you feel worse. You might even start thinking there’s something wrong with you.
FoMO also feeds on your need to fit in.
It can make you feel like you need to be involved in everything to be accepted. You may start to feel like if you’re not at the party, or if you’re not part of the group, you’re not good enough or you don’t fit in.
How Much FoMO Do We Experience?
FoMO hits differently for everyone, but it’s more common than you think. And how much you experience is based on different factors.
Nearly 70% of college students deal with FoMO, and women feel it more than men. The youths also experience it more than older people.
Even if you’re not in college or a youth, FoMO can still get to you. In our always-connected world, it’s hard to shake the feeling that you’re missing out.
How To Resist FoMO?
- Take a break from social media for a few days. Focus on your own life and what matters to you.
- Become a rebel. Live life on your own terms, not by societal norms.
- When FoMO starts creeping in, take a deep breath and remind yourself you’re only seeing highlights, not the full picture.
- Limit your social media use, especially when you’re feeling vulnerable.
- Find real-life friendships.
- Be patient with yourself as you work on dealing with FoMO. Changing old habits takes time.
- Stop comparing your life to others. Remind yourself, you are enough just as you are.
- Delete social media apps from your phone to reduce your exposure to FoMO.
More..
Social media and FoMO are like frenemies. Sure, social media helps you stay connected and share your life, but it also attracts those FoMO vibes.
Why? Because social media is meant to keep you hooked. It’s literally designed to make you scroll endlessly. But I think what most people don’t always remember is that social media isn’t real life. People only post the highlights, they only post what they want you to see, skipping the real stuff.
So, when you compare your life to theirs, you’re actually comparing your reality to their highlights. Remember that when next you’re feeling FoMO.
